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Wednesday, August 28, 1996
Bird's EveView
Despite prevention programs and increased education, DRUG USE at college IS STILL...
Illustration by Greg Hardin
By Megan Jordan Kansan staff writer
Drug use is skyrocketing at the University of Kansas — at least, that is the perception of many students.
"Everybody I know does pot, except for me," said Zorinne Knapp, Lawrence freshman.
But studies have not shown this increase.
Julie Francis, public health educator at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said that students often thought many of their peers were using drugs but that these numbers were not reflected in national surveys.
Students interviewed estimated that between 75 and 90 percent regularly abuse illegal substances or have at least tried them.
Francis said the reported number was closer to about one in four students.
National studies on drug use usually focus on the high-school age group, she said. Students begin experimenting with substances at this point, and studying 12 to 17 year olds helps educators
gauge the success of anti-drug programs. But the findings of such studies also are important at the university level.
"There has to be some carryover from high school to the college population," Francis said.
" Everybody I know does pot, except for
A survey by Partnership for a Drug-Free America echoes Collier's sentiments.
Kate Cavanaugh, Kansas City, Kan., senior said that from her observations, drugs were more popular with freshman and sophomores. Students smoke pot in high school and assume college is the same way, she said.
A study released Aug. 20 by the Department of Health and Human Services reported that the number of high school seniors using drugs doubled between 1992 and 1995. Marijuana use rose 141 percent. And as Francis and Cavanah pointed out, high schoolers are not going to kick the habit once they hit college.
me."
Zorinne Knapp
Lawrence freshman
"I know people who smoke pot every day," Cavanaugh said.
So what happened to the generation raised on Nancy Reagan's Just Say No campaign? Did no one pay attention to the egg-in-the-frying-pan commercial?
Today's teens are less likely to consider drug use harmful and risky and are more likely to believe that drug use is widespread and tolerated, the study said.
Experts say today's students have not had the
The increasing attitude of acceptance also is apparent to professors.
"This group is not worried about messing up their lives with drugs," said Ken Collier, assistant professor of political science. "This group is more laid back than before. They think things will work out OK."
trends
opportunity to see peers suffer the consequences of heavy drug use. As a result, drugs do not seem dangerous. Other contributing factors include glamorization in the movies and less of a focus on prevention in schools and by the government, they say.
While Collier said some of these reasons had merit, he did not think the government significantly influenced drug
"It is not a matter of penalties," he said. "You don't tell people that drug use is illegal and then decide to stop using drugs."
Cavanaugh agreed with Collier.
"It's not legal, so it’s kind of an attraction," she said. "It’s like going to The Wheel when you are 18 just so you can sav you went to a bar."
Although the number of college students abusing drugs such as marijuana appears to have stabilized, the number abusing alcohol continues to increase.
Francis said 84 percent of students admitted to drinking during the school year. Forty-four percent are binge drinkers, which means five or more drinks consumed in an hour by males and four or more by females. Francis did not have specific numbers to compare these figures to, but she said they were higher than ever.
"Alcohol is the number one drug on campus," she said.
Collier said the university was not in a position to halt drug use.
"We can be ready with information," he said, "But I don't think we can actively do anything to dissuade them."
Critical Volume
Music reviews by Robert Moczydlowsky
rmoczudk@falcon.cc.ukans.edu.
In previous semesters, this column has appeared in the Features section of the Kansan in several forms and styles. This semester, it will appear every Wednesday in this space under the name Critical Volume.
Interviews and reviews for national, local and regional acts will be featured with concert information. If you have a local band, please submit your compact discs, cassettes or vinyl recordings, plus any promotional material to: Critical Volume, care of the Kansan, 111 Stuffer-Flint Hall, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
66045. All local submissions will be reviewed.
Mango Jam Flux (Shanachie Entertainment). Though this record was released almost four weeks ago, it deserves mention here for a couple of Lawrence-related reasons. Ever-popular with students on the Hill. Mango Jam is always good to bring its sort of rock, sort of reggae brand of party tunes to town once a semester.
Mango Jam contributed an
This fall will be no exception.
Mango Jam now is touring to promote its newest album for its new record company (a switch that supposedly afforded the band more studio and production time). They are scheduled to play on Sept. 20 at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
The big news, however, is where the band will play the next evening. According to their record company's promo sheet, the band has agreed to play a party at the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, 1942 Stewart Ave., Sept. 21. Factor in what ought to be a successful new album, and you get an equation that should make those men at Zeta Beta Tau popular for a while.
contributed an
Gorky's Zygotic Myncl
Enter Mercury Records and Gorky's Zygotic Myncl. GZM has been the darling of the United Kingdom's large independent rock scene for the past two years, releasing both a No.1 single and a No.1 album for the tiny Ankst label. Recently, Mercury signed the band to an American contract with hopes that its flowing, freeform harmonic rock would catch on in the United States.
Overall.5.
Gorky's Zygotic Mynci Introducing Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (Mercury Records and Ankst Records). When bands Blur and Oasis released their now multi-platinum albums for the first time in the United States two years ago, the mainstream music press invented the term "Brit-pop" for these catchy, British Invasion throwback bands. Unfortunately, a lot of other original bands without Lennon/McCartney-style guitar riffs have been largely ignored.
Introducing Gorky's Zygotic Mynci is a compilation of the band's most popular songs, including the former No.1 Miss Trudy. If you're a fan of The Chieftains, the Pogues, or even American jam rockers Phish, you may want to check out this album or call to request it on KJHK. Overall, 7.
Eels beautiful freak (Dreamworks Records). Nothing makes a critic more skeptical than a band with an immediately successful single that holds the lead-off spot on the band's debut recording. Too often the song is placed for immediate listening because the marketing executives know it will be easily forgotten when mixed with the lesser songs on the album.
Thankfully, this is definitely not the case with the Eels' debut record Beautiful Freak and their hit song Novacaine for the Soul.
This record, from start to finish,
is a wonderful tribute to the simple
It's a sure bet that the Lazer will play this record relentlessly, so if you plan to buy it, do so now — before you get too sick of the singles to enjoy a truly
great debut album from a promising new band. Overall, before MTV and the Lazer get a hold of it.8.
Supersexy Swingin' Sounds features remixes of nearly every track from White Zombie's last studio album and a couple of tracks released as B-sides for earlier singles.
White Zombie Supersexy Swingin' Sounds (Geffen Records). There are few bands that can release an entire compact disc of remix tracks, call it a new album and get away with it. White Zombie has done just that.
beauty of the piano and Wurlitzer organ. Soft hiphop beats and fuzz guitars complement the keyboard work, and the gentle, half-spoken harmony vocals seem to make each song melt into the next without harsh transition. The highlight of the album is the song Susan's House, which includes a beautiful sample of the piano line from Gladys Knight and the Pips' Love Finds its own Way. Other gems include Flower, Guest List and Rags to Rags.
contributed an Fols
Eels
contributed ar
The strange thing here though, is that with the exception of one track by P.M. Dawn and two from the Dust Brothers (of Beastie Boys 'Paul's Boutique fame) these songs have been redone by an impressive collection of no-names. Charlie Clouser contributes four of the mixes — including a total beat reconstruction of the hit More Human than Human — but none of the mixes other than those by the Dust Brothers are nearly as entertaining as the original.
White Zombie fans could of course care less. White Zombie is a band in the rare position of having a fervent fan base that will buy anything the band releases, regardless of quality. This is sure to be a fast-selling album — too bad it isn't a good one. Overall, 3.